Hurricane Katrina Help for Seniors and Others with Special Needs
Release Date: October 17, 2005
Release Number: 1605-070
» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Katrina
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Assistance for senior citizens and others with special needs, in the form of one-to-one meetings with recovery specialists and help filling out paperwork, will be available for Alabama residents and displaced evacuees from Louisiana and Mississippi affected by Hurricane Katrina.
"This disaster has separated many survivors from their usual community and support groups, compounding communication and transportation challenges," said Michael Bolch, senior deputy federal coordinating officer with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "The post-disaster efforts of volunteers, who often take a personal interest in the welfare of those with special needs, are extraordinary," Bloch said.
State Coordinating Officer Bruce Baughman said, "FEMA and the State of Alabama work closely with each individual identified as having a special need to smooth the process of getting help." Baughman said some common needs facing seniors, others with special needs and displaced evacuees in unfamiliar locales include the following:
- Help registering for disaster assistance. Voice menus or Internet access may be difficult to navigate. A hearing disability can compound confusion;
- Help understanding the disaster recovery process;
- Explanation of how the U.S. Small Business Administration works with registrants;
- Meeting face-to-face with disaster specialists at a Disaster Recovery Center to get answers to specific questions about an application already filed; and
- Reassurance that no one will be forced to move into a nursing home or travel trailer. Health and safety are paramount but every effort will be made to keep people in their homes.
- FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
The first step for those with special needs is to call the FEMA toll-free registration number 800-621-FEMA (3362), or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairment. Multilingual operators are available to assist callers in many languages. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Internet registration is also available online at http://www.fema.gov. The applicant will receive a registration number, which tracks them through the recovery process. That process is individually handled if they are identified as having special needs according to set criteria.
Last Modified: Monday, 17-Oct-2005 12:14:21